Synopsis
The Life of Galileo
by Bertolt Brecht
in a version by David Hare
Scene 1. Padua, 1609. Galileo’s study
ANDREA SARTI, the young son of Galileo Galilei’s housekeeper, examines a
model of the solar system as it is understood to exist, with the Earth at its centre.
GALILEO is prepared to challenge that belief: “I have made discoveries we can
no longer withhold from the world.” He demonstrates Copernicus’ findings that
the earth moves round the sun and Andrea, finally convinced by the explanation
that it is possible for the earth to rotate without its inhabitants feeling ‘upside
down’, relishes the opportunity to upset his mother with this latest heretical
discovery.
LUDOVICO, a rich young man from Holland, wants to “understand science”.
Galileo agrees to teach him since there’s money in the venture. Ludovico talks of
a new invention on the Dutch markets – a telescope. The CHANCELLOR of the
University visits. Galileo borrows one scudi from him and sends Andrea off to buy
lenses from the lens grinder. The Chancellor cannot approve a rise in Galileo’s
salary since he gives only two lectures per week and receives the university’s
protection against the Inquisition. Galileo has freedom to practice science. The
Chancellor suggests that he would make money from inventing something.
Andrea returns with the lenses and Galileo warns him not to disclose any details
of their recent conversations to anyone.
Scene 2. Venice 1609
Galileo presents his new invention, the telescope, to a crowd of dignitaries,
claiming it is the result of 17 years’ research. Galileo’s daughter, VIRGINIA,
brings Ludovico to pay his compliments to her father: “You have made the cover
red. In Holland it was green.”
Scene 3. Padua 1610. Galileo’s study
SAGREDO examines the moon through the telescope. Galileo explains that the
light he can see is not the moon’s own, but reflected from the earth. Sagredo
fears his friend will go the way of Giordano Bruno, the man burned at the stake
for claiming that the moon and the earth are the same. The Chancellor arrives
having learned that a cargo of telescopes from Holland has arrived in Venice.
The instrument is worthless and he is offended by Galileo’s fraud: “I showed you
nothing but kindness and you have made me a laughing-stock in the city of my
birth.” Galileo confides to Sagredo that Jupiter’s four satellites move, making it
another sun, just as the Copernicans had claimed. When Sagredo asks where
God fits into this scheme, he is alarmed to hear Galileo repeat Bruno’s sentiment:
“In us or nowhere.” Galileo plans to move to Florence and be accepted at Court,
to infiltrate and begin to prove his discoveries. He resolves to give the Pope and
his monks all the evidence they need to believe him, more evidence than
Copernicus’ “scribblings.” Sagredo warns him not to provoke the Pope: already
his monks and princes are laying traps. “Galileo, I saw you on your own pyre. I
beg you, do not go.”
Scene 4. Florence. 1610. Galileo’s study
The nine-year-old Grand Duke of Florence, COSIMO DE MEDICI, visits to see
Galileo’s telescope, which the Court astronomers have dismissed as “rubbish.”
Andrea forgets his order to remain silent, and pushes the Duke to believe that the
earth goes around the sun. Galileo discreetly conceals the Copernican model
and then invites the Duke, a MATHEMATICIAN and a PHILOSOPHER to look at
the new ‘Medicean’ stars, the satellites around Jupiter. They refuse, thinking it
unnecessary to have new planets, and questioning whether this telescope will
even show them the truth of the heavens. When the men protest that Galileo’s
argument conflicts with “divine Aristotle”, he reminds them that Aristotle did not
have a telescope. He impresses on them that many citizens, by virtue of owning
a telescope, will be able to see stars they did not know to exist, leading them to
question the dogma they have been taught. The philosophers escort the Duke
away, telling Galileo that his ideas will be considered by Clavius, the papal
astronomer.
Scene 5. Rome, 1616
Galileo sits in a corridor. Two monks openly mock his ideas but do not address
him. An old CARDINAL passes, branding Galileo an “enemy of humanity” and
elucidating the fear of the Church: why would God send his Son to live on a
“minor, transient star?” But when CLAVIUS passes, he utters “he is right.”
Galileo’s victory is bittersweet: as he departs, he encounters the CARDINAL
INQUISITOR.
Scene 6. Rome, 1616, a ball at Cardinal Bellarmine’s
Galileo sends his daughter to dance with Ludovico as he waits for the cardinals
BELLARMINE and BARBERINI. When they appear, the former instructs the latter
to humour Galileo’s ideas, unless they contradict the Bible. The clerks are
permitted to minute some of the conversation. Refusing to hear that God may not
have imposed the structure they believe on the universe, the cardinals tell Galileo
that only hours before, the Holy Office rejected Copernicus’ teachings. The
questions around Jupiter were not even considered. Galileo must now abandon
his belief and may only research under the terms of mathematical hypothesis.
After they depart, the Cardinal Inquisitor collects the transcripts from the clerks
and meets Virginia, to whom he insinuates the importance of supporting her
father: “I must tell you, the time will come. He will need you.”
Scene 7. Rome, 1616. The home of the Florentine Ambassador
The LITTLE MONK, a physicist, has decided to give up astronomy, prompted by
his deep unease at Galileo’s findings about Jupiter – “unrestricted research is a
danger to humanity” – and by his fear that humankind would feel lost to learn that
everything they have hitherto believed about the universe is actually an error,
effectively removing their “comforts of faith”. But Galileo disputes that the Church
is not justified in lying to the people, making them suffer under order, servitude
and poverty and treating them as “mindless.” He cannot deny the truth. He
throws a pile of manuscripts before the Little Monk who gathers them up and
immediately begins to read.
Scene 8. Florence, 1624. Galileo’s house
Virginia prepares for her wedding. Andrea, the Little Monk and FEDERZONI
prepare to experiment. Galileo, now losing his sight, sits apart, immersed in a
book. He has earned a great reputation across Europe, he assumes by virtue of
remaining silent. The scientists begin to investigate ‘floating bodies’. Ludovico
appears unexpectedly. While his fiancée fetches her wedding dress, he
announces that the Pope is dying and Barberini is expected to succeed: “a
scientist on the Papal throne!” This lifts Galileo’s spirits enough to decide to
return at once – despite the dangers – to his studies of the “earth-round-the-sun.”
He realises that Ludovico will be concerned by this because his future wife may
not be accepted as “godly” on account of her father’s disobedience. SIGNORA
SARTI reminds Galileo that he has no right to jeopardise his daughter’s
happiness, but he does not listen. Ludovico fears his reputation too much, and
leaves without saying goodbye to Virginia. As the men set back to work, Virginia
returns, realises what her father has done, and collapses to the ground.
Scene 9. An Italian city, 1632. A carnival
Carnival-goers celebrate Galileo’s fame.
Scene 10. Florence, 1633. The Palace
Galileo waits to present his latest book to the Grand Duke. Virginia suspects they
are being watched by a gentleman who sits quietly nearby. VANNI, an
industrialist, approaches to lend his support and that of the world of commerce to
Galileo’s efforts: they want to see Italy move forward. But his suggestion that
Galileo would do better to work from Venice is met with scorn. The Cardinal
Inquisitor passes silently, bowing to Galileo as he goes. Cosimo de Medici also
greets Galileo but leaves almost immediately without the book, which arouses
Virginia’s suspicions further. Her father hurries them out, having already made
arrangements for a coach to take them away in case of need, but they are
stopped by the Official, who tells Galileo he is to be sent to the Holy Inquisition.
Scene 11. Rome, 1633. The Vatican
As Barberini, now POPE URBAN VIII, is being robed, the Inquisitor insists that
Galileo’s mathematical charts should be destroyed, warning that if the people
start to doubt the Vatican – as they are – it won’t be long before they doubt the
Gospel. The Pope is sure of Galileo’s genius, and asks that they leave the man
alone. But, irritated by the Inquisitor’s persistence and by the interminable noise
of shuffling in the corridors, he relents, allowing the Inquisitor to threaten Galileo
by showing him – at the very most – “the instruments”.
Scene 12. Rome, 1633
Galileo’s pupils and his daughter wait anxiously for news: they are sure that
Galileo will not recant under pressure, which may result in his execution. AN
OFFICIAL announces that Galileo is due to recant at 5pm and to signal the
moment, bells will be rung. Virginia kneels, praying loudly. At three minutes past
five, with no signal sounding, the pupils rejoice that Galileo has not recanted.
Soon their celebrations are broken by the bells ringing, and Galileo appears, tired
and frail, to be derided by his friends.
Scene 13. Countryside near Florence, 1637
A surprise gift of two plucked geese is delivered for Virginia and Galileo, and she
sends them off with their GUARD-MONK to be roasted. Andrea visits
unexpectedly to take news of Galileo’s health on his travels to Amsterdam;
Virginia insists on listening to their conversation. Andrea explains the effect of
Galileo’s recantation as having stifled the work of other scientists. Virginia is sent
away and, promising that Andrea is harmless, persuades the monk to leave them
alone as well. Galileo confides to his old friend that he has started writing again
and has finished his Discorsi. Although his writings are usually locked away each
night, he has managed to secretly make a copy, which he suggests could be
smuggled to Amsterdam if Andrea wanted. Suddenly excited by this prospect,
Andrea admits his feelings towards Galileo have now altered: “When you
recanted, I should have realised, you had a reason.” But Galileo claims he had
no strategy and berates himself for betraying his profession. Virginia appears and
corrects him: “you have been received into the ranks of the faithful.”
Scene 14. The Italian Frontier, 1637.
Andrea appears at the frontier, concealing the Discorsi under his coat. The guard
searches him and finds the book, but when told it is in Latin, shows no interest
and sends Andrea on his way, through the frontier.